Pedal-action for musical instruments.



A. P. 6: G. H. NORRIS. PEDAL ACTION FOB MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

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A. F. & O. H. NORRIS.

PEDAL ACTION FORMUSIGAL INSTRUMENTS.

91 APPLICATION FILED APR. 2., 1908. Patented Mar. 16,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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A. F. & G. H. NORRIS.-

PEDAL ACTION FOB MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

. APPLICATION FILED APB..2,1908. Patented Mar. 16 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Wihwaaco A. I. & G. H. NORRIS.

PEDAL ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 2, 1908.

Patented Mar. 16, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @FFIOE.

ALBERT F. NORRIS AND CLIFTON H. NORRIS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

PEDAL-ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed April 2,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALBERT F. Nounrs I and CLIFTON Iil. Nonnrs,citizens of the United States, residing at Boston, in the. county ofSuiiolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Pedal-Actions for Musical Instruments; and we do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in attachments for pianos andother musical instruments, and particularly to the pedal action thereof,and has for an object the provi sion of a pedal action that will occupybut a very small space.

Another object in view is the provision of a pedal action that willoperate in a very small space and operate noiseles'sly.

A further object in view is the provision of a pedal action adapted tooccupy a comparatively small space, act easily and noiselessly, and tobe arranged with any desired number of pedals, and means for normallyholding the pedals in an elevated position.

With these and other objects in view the invention comprises certainnovel constructions, combinations, and arrangement of parts that will behereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a top plan view of the pedalaction embodying the features of the present invention. Fig. 2 is asection through Fig. 1 on line 2 2. Fig. 3 is a side view of the lifterrod arm. Fig. 4 is a detail view oi a support and cone bearing members.Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a slightly modified form of the structureshown in Fig. 1, certain parts being broken away. Fig. 6 is a sectionthrough Fig. 5, approximately on line 66. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of afurther modified form 01 the structure shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a topplan view of a still further modified form or the structure shown inFig. 1. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a spring and lug forming part ofthe present invention, the rock shaft being omitted.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, 1 and 2 indicate brackets that areformed with upstanding lugs or members 33 and 4-% respectively. Theupstanding members 3-3 accommodate rods or shafts 5 and 6 formed withbeveled or cone shaped ends that are Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 16, 1909.

1908. Serial No. 424,767.

1 adapted to be fitted into countersunk portions 7 and 8 termed 1nlifter rod arm 9. The hiter rod arm 9, as clearly seen in Fig. 1, is

moved on the arc of a circle, as hereinafter more fully set forth. A setscrew 11 is preferably used for securing lifter rod arm 9 to rod thoughany other preferred means may be used.

Upstanding members 14 are provided with shaft bearing members 12 and 13formed with beveled or cone ends for fitting into depressed portions 1 1and 15 formed in pedal 16. By this construction pedal 16 is pivotallymounted upon cone bearings and also lifter rod arm 9 is mounted uponcone said pedals pedal 16 is firmly secured to rod 10 by set screw 17and litter rod arm 9 is secured to rod 10 by set screw 11. The bear ingmembers or shafts 5 and 6 and 12 and 13 are in actual alinement so thatwhenever pedal 16 is moved upon'its journal or pivotal point lifter rodarm 9 will also be moved upon its pivotal point orbearing in apredetermined direction and the same relative distance. As pedal 16extends upon one side of rod 10 in a position to be depressed by theoperator and lifter rod arm 9 extends in the opposite direction forraising the lifter rod, the lifter rod will be raised whenever the pedalis depressed and whenever the pedal is raised by a spring, hereinaftermore fully described, lifter rod arm 9, together with its lifter rod andconnecting mechanism will be lowered.

In pianos there are usuallv employed several pedals, and when it isdesired to have a lifter red at any desired point in addition to thelifter rod operated by arm 9 a second rod 18 is provided which hasrigidly secured thereto a lifter rod arm 19 in a similar manner to thelifter rod 9. The lifter rod arm 19 is pivotally mounted upon bearingmembers 20 and 21 having cone faces and which are firmly held in theupstanding members 22 and 23 of bracket 24. Positioned in axialalinement with members 20 and 21 are journal members .25 and 26 that areformed with cone faces for fitting into depressions in pedal 27 and formbearing members therefor. The bearing members and 26 are rigidly held inupstanding members 28 and 29 of bracket 30 by any desired. means as, forinstance, set screws. When lifter rod arm 19 and associated mechanism ispositioned to the right of pedal 16 and pedal 27 and associated partspositioned secured to a rod 10 that is adapted to be bearings and willmove in synchrony with to the left of pedal 16, the same is adapted tobe accommodated in its movement by curved up portion 31 of pedal 16, asclearly seen in Fig. 2. This curved up portion permits the movement ofrod 18 upon the arc of a circle with journal members 20, 21, 25 and 26as the center so that either pedal 16 or 27 may be depressed as may bedesired without either pedal a'fi'ecting the other, and consequentlyeither lifter rod. 9 or 19 can be operated.

Secured to bracket 2 is a spring 32 which extends over and is alsosecured to pedal 16. A strip of yielding material 33, preferablyleather, is interposed between bracket 2 and spring 32, as clearly seenin 2, so as to give an easier and freer action to the spring. '1 hespring is bent from substantially a hori- Zontal position at 34 to avertical position at 35, and from thence is bent upon the arc of acircle at 36 until it merges into an upright or vertical portion 37 inopposition to portion 35. From the portion 37 the spring is bent overinto a portion 38 that is firmly clamped to pedal 16 by a nut 39 mountedupon set screw 17. This gives a substantially shaped contour to thespring and permits pedal to move upon its pivotal bearing and yet becontinuously acted upon by the spring.

P ally mounted so as to merely rock during the bearing member 51movement of the pedals 413 and 41-4 and their 70,

respective lifter rod arms 45 and 46. Rod 41 is beveled for forming acone-shaped member 4'7 at one end which is adapted to fit into a journalmember 48 that is supported by a suitable bracket 49. Any de sired meansa screw may be used for holding member 48 in position. The opposite endoi rod 11 to the beveled portion 47 is formed with a conical-shaped.opening for receiving a conicabshaped end 50 of shaft or Shaft orbearing member 51 is supported by bracket 52 and is rig idly held. inposition by any desired means as set screw. Pedal 4.2% is firmly held inposition by any desired means for instance, a screw, and also lit er rodarm as is held in position preferably by set screw so that wheneverpedal l3 moves or rocks shaft 41 lifter rod arm 15 will be moved orrocked. Secured to shaft 41, preferably by a set screw 53, is a lug thatis adapted to receive or have secured thereto a spring 55 similar inconstruction to spring Spring The spring may be made of any desired sizeand strength and is adapted to hold pedal 1.6

in a substantially horizontal position, as clearly seen in Fig. 2. lVien it is desired to move the lifter red the pedal is depressed in. theusual manner which will move the set screw 17 and portion 37 downwardand bring the spring 32 under tension and. at the same time will moverod 10 upon the arc of a circle and move lifter rod arm 9 upon itsbearing. After the rod has been held in a raised position for thedesired time pedal 16 is released and spring 32 will raise the same toits normal position and at the same time will move rod 10 in a reversedirection to its former movement and, consequently lifter rod arm 9.Spring 32 is therefore adapted to return and hold pedal 16 in a normalsubstantially horizontal position or in any other position in which thesame has been set. It will also be noted that the pivots or journalmembers 12 and 13 are positioned substantially midway of the spring 32so that in moving pedal 16 against the action of the spring the springwill be wound slightly with the members 12 and 13 as the center and whenthe pedal 16 is released the spring will pass through an unwindingaction for returning the pedal. /Vhen pedal 27 is depressed rod 18 willmove upon the arc of a circle for moving lifter rod arm 19 and will bereturned to its normal position by spring 4-0 in a similar manner to themanner in which spring 32 returns pedal 16. The lifter rod arms 9 and 19may be of any desired length for properly acting upon the lifter rod.

55 is secured to lug 5 1- at 56 and to any of the bracing members of thepiano 57. ll 9. desired a support- 58 may be secured in the bottom ofthe piano in any desired manner for receiving the end of the spring 5 Ameshing strip '59, preferably of leather, is positioned between spring55 and member 58, for easing the action of the spring. llhen spring 55has been securei'l in position and set screw 53 tightened upon rod 41all the pedals and litter rod arms secured to rod 41 will be held. intheir normal position, and, when moved from tl'icir normal position,will be returned to said position in a similar manner to the way pedal16 and associated parts are returned to the'r correct position.

Associated with rod or shaft 41 is a rod or shalt 12 for :arryinganother litter rod arm 46. in order to accommodate rod or shalt pedale13 is preferably curved, upward. at 60 in similar manner to the waypedal, 16 is curved up at 31. Rod -12 journalcd at one end in bearing61. by having its beveled end 62 fitting into a coin *al-shaped openingroe. or

in b "mg 61. The opposite end or shalt is formed with a conica 7 openinginto which bearing shalt es projects. Bearing shaft 61 is supported bybracket or supporting member 64 and member is supported by a bracket orjournal supporting member 65. Suitable tightening means, as set screws,are provided for members 61 and. 63 so as to hold the same in anyadjusted position for permitting rod or shit -13 to act in. its usualmanner. Secured to shaft or red 42 is a bracket 66 and a spring 67 andalso associated parts that are similar to the bracket, spring andassociated parts of the structure shown in 9, and will therefore need nofurther description. By this construction and arrangement of shafts orrods 41 and 42 and their associated parts noiseless action is provideaand also one that will take up very small space. An ofhcient and strongaction also it will be observed is presented and one that is not liableto be deranged or gotten out of order easily.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 7 and 8 another slightly modifiedconstruction is presented in which yokes 68, 69, 70, and 71 are used. InFig. 7 is seen a structure having a plurality of supports or brackets 72 73 and 74. Bracket 7 2 is formed with upstanding members 75-75 whichare adapted to carry journal members 76 and 77 that are formed withcone-shaped. ends for engaging cone-shaped sockets in yoke 68. Yoke 68,opposite the end which is journaled upon members 76 and 77, is firmlysecured to a rod or shaft 78 by any desired means as set screw 79, theend of rod 78 opposite yoke 68 is firmly secured in. the yoke 69 by aset screw 80. Yoke 69 is formed with arms 81 and 82 for receiving shaftsor rods 78 and 83 which are firmly held in position by a suitable setscrew. A central arm 84 is also provided for engaging bearing members 85and 86 which are formed with conical-shaped faces for en gagingconical-shaped depressions in arm s4. Bearing members 85 and 86 aresupported and held in position by a bracket constructed and arrangedsimilar to bracket 72. Shaft 83 is secured to yoke 7 0 at the oppositeend to the end secured to yoke 69. Yoke 70 is secured to shaft 83 by anydesired means as by set screw 87 and also is pivotally mounted onhearing member 88 that is rigidly held in bracket 7 i by a set screw 90.Bearing member 88 also is adapted to engage the end. of rod or shaft forforming a journal member therefor which is assisted by yoke 70 and itspivotal mounting. Any desired number of pedals as 90 may be secured torods or shafts 78 and 83 and also any desired number of lifter rod arms92 may be used. it will be, however, seen that all of the lifter rodarms 92 will be moved upon the movement of any pedal rigidly secured torod 78 or 83. Secured to rod 83 is alug or spring supporting member 93and a spring 9e similar to the spring and lug shown in Fig. 9 and isadapted to be positioned and arranged in the same way and with the samesurrcmnding parts so as to normally hold the shafts 83 and 78 in. oneposition and to return the shafts to that position when moved to someother position.

In Fig. 8 a slightly simplified form of the structure shown in Fig. 7 isdisclosed in which yoke 71 connects shafts 95 and 96 by being rigidlysecured thereto. A bracket 97 suprod will operate in the usual manner.

l ports a journal member 98 that is formed with cone-shaped ends whichare adapted to fit into cone-shaped sockets formed in rods 95 and 96. Bythis construction shafts 95 and 96 may be comparatively short and havejournal members for correctly supporting the same and yet be connectedrigidly together and form substantially continuous shaft or rod thatextends the full length of the piano or other instrument or any part ofthe length as may be desired. Another advantage of this structure isthat if desired one of the rods 95 and 96 may be removed and theremaining Conneeted to either of rods 95 or 96 or to both are pedals,lifter rod arms, and spring receiving lugs for normally holding theshafts in correct position. Suitable end journal members 99 and 100similar to brackets 64 and 65 and surrounding parts are provided forsupporting the ends of the rods.

By constructing a pedal action according to the present invention thesame may be arranged to occupy a very small space at the lower part ofthe piano and yet act efficiently and noiselessly. The rods, springs,and other parts may be close to one side of the piano and take up a verysmall space but, as will be evident, will effectually operate the lifterrods in the desired manner. Another important feature of the inventionis the adaptability of the action to be placed in position and adjustedproperly in any desired musical instrument, and at the same time presenta device in which the lost motion caused by the wear can be taken up.

What we claim is:

1. In a pedal action, a lifter rod arm, a shaft secured thereto, a pedalsecured to said shaft for moving the same, and pivotal members engagingsaid arm in such manner as to permit said rod to travel in the arc of acircle concentric with said pivotal members.

2. In. a pedal action for musical instru ments, a rocker bar, a lifterrod arm secured to said bar, bearings for said arm, a pedal secured tosaid rocker bar, and aspring for holding said pedal and said rocker barin their normal position and for returning said pedal and said rockerbar to that position when moved from the same.

3. In a pedal action for musical instruments, a rocker bar, a lifter rodarm secured thereto, a pedal secured to said rocker bar, and conebearings for said pedal and said lifter rod arm in axial alinement, saidcone bearings being arranged for causing said pedal to rock said shafton the arc of a circle concentric with said bearings.

4. In a pedal action for musical instruments, a rock shaft, a lifter rodarm secured to said shaft, bearings for said lifter rod arm, a pedal formoving said shaft in the arc of a circle concentric with said bearings,and yielding means for normally supporting said shaft.

In a pedal action for musical instruments, a rock shaft, a lifter rodarm removably secured to said shaft, cone shaped hear- .ing members forsupporting said lifter rod arm, a pedal rigidly secured to said shaft,and a spring secured at one end to said pedal and at the other to saidmusical instrument.

6 In a pedal action for musical instruments, arock shaft, a lifter rodarm secured to said rock shaft, means for adjusting the position of saidlifter rod arm, bearings for supporting said lifter rod arm in suchmanner as to cause said rock shaft to move upon the arc of a circle,means for adjusting the position of said bearings, a pedal secured tosaid rock shaft, means for adjusting the position of said pedal on saidrock shaft, and means for normally holding said pedal in correctposition.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of twoWitnesses.

ALBERT F. NORRIS. ULIFTQN H. NORRIS. lVitnesscs A. CHURCH, CHAS. 7.BAILEY.

